The Routes of Cervantes
“Liberty, Sancho, my friend, is one of the most precious gifts that Heaven has bestowed on mankind; all the treasures the earth contains in its bosom or the ocean within its depths cannot be compared with it. For liberty, as well as for honor, man ought to risk even his life, and he should reckon captivity the greatest evil life can bring”.
On Sunday, the ninth day of October of the year of our Lord, fifteen forty-seven, the son of Rodrigo de Cervantes and his wife Leonor was baptised (…) [Note on the margin: “Miguel”]
1547
Birth of Miguel de Cervantes in Alcalá de Henares.
These four Castilian quatrains on the death of her Majesty […] are an elegy from Miguel de Cervantes, our dear disciple: When a happy country / expected our fate…
1568
Juan López de Hoyos organises the funeral of Queen Isabel of Valois, Miguel de Cervantes composes four poems.
Don Felipe […]: we have proceeded […] to rule by default against Miguel de Cervantes, who is absent, for having caused certain injuries […] to Antonio de Sigura […] condemning him to have his right hand cut off as a form of public shaming…
1569
Royal warrant for the arrest of a "Miguel de Cervantes" for injuries caused to Antonio de Sigura.
Adding to this the effect of reverence upon my mind, the things that (as in a prophecy) I heard many times from the most illustrious cardinal of Aquaviva, of whom I was steward in Rome…
1569
Cervantes serves as a waiter in the entourage of Monsignor Acquaviva in Italy.
Times of war
To Miguel de Cervantes, of the company of captain Don Manuel Ponce de León of said third, 3 escudos.
1571
Battle of Lepanto with the Holy League facing the Turkish army. Cervantes is enlisted in the company of Diego de Urbina.
To Miguel de Cervantes another 20 ducados
1572
Cervantes recovers in a hospital in Messina.
1573
Miguel is an outstanding soldier in the company of Ponce de León and is involved in the taking and loss of Tunis or La Goulette.
I am informed that he was on the field of battle when the Turkish army was defeated, where he fought as a good soldier and lost a hand, and then I saw him serve on the other dates in Levante […] he was imprisoned in the Sol galley…
1575
Cervantes is licenced as a soldier.
Captivity in Algiers
1575
Miguel and Rodrigo de Cervantes are taken prisoners by Algerian pirates off the Catalan coast.
This is how I spent my life, locked in a prison or house that the Turks called bagnio, where they hold Christian captives, those that belong to the king as well as some that belong to private individuals [Since I] was to be ransomed, they put a chain on me…
What you see […] ladies and gentlemen, is the city of Algiers, devouring the shores of the Mediterranean, a universal post of pirates, shelter and refuge of thieves…
Doña Leonor de Cortinas […] has two sons […] Miguel and Rodrigo de Cervantes, who have served us [in Italy, Flanders, and the Mediterranean]; one of them had his hand cut off, and the other was crippled […] the Moors of Algiers captured them
To answer these questions I ask that the witnesses who are or will be presented by Rodrigo de Cervantes, present in this court, be examined, regarding the information that has been requested to aid the rescue of Miguel de Cervantes, his son
1579
Cervantes's fourth attempt to escape with over 60 other prisoners. They hid in a cave during several months.
A time of love and writing
Miguel de Cervantes, originally from the village of Alcalá de Henares […] rescued to be set free says he is going to Spain and he wishes and considers it important to prepare a report with witnesses of his captivity, life, and customs.
1580
Brothers Juan Gil and Antón de la Bella free Miguel de Cervantes.
At this time I am devoting myself to finishing La Galatea, which is the book that I told your Majesty that I was writing…
1582
Miguel de Cervantes is sent on mission to Oran as a spy by Felipe II.
Miguel de Cervantes, present in this Court, transfers, sells, waives, and hands over to Blas de Robles, a seller of books […] a book of prose and verse containing the six books of Galatea.
1585
Wedding of Miguel de Cervantes and Catalina de Salazar in Esquivias.
[Miguel de Cervantes] will write two comedies for [Gaspar de Porres]: one called la Confusa, and the other called El trato de Constantinopla y muerte de Çelin…
1585
Publication of La Galatea, Cervantes's first extensive literary piece
Miguel de Cervantes […] through conversation and for the experience that he has […] name him […] with the high rod of justice to go to the city of Ecija.
1586
Cervantes becomes Commissioner General of Supplies and a tax collector in Andalusia.
The Birth of the Ingenious Gentleman
1605
Publication of the first part of Don Quixote
The King. As far as you, Miguel de Cervantes are concerned, our attention was called to the fact that you wrote a book entitled The Ingenious Gentleman of La Mancha which was of great difficulty...
Box number 77 [...] 5 [copies of] Don Quixote of La Mancha.
It has come to my attention that some people in the kingdom of Portugal have printed or wish to print copies of said book without having my express permission
“Putting feet in the stirrups...”
1604
Cervantes's family settles in Valladolid for two years.
1615
The second part of Don Quixote is published
Putting my feet in the stirrups I fear death, I write to you my Lord. Yesterday I've been given extreme unction and today I write this...
1616
Cervantes completes The trials of Persiles and Sigismunda which will be published posthumously.
1616
Cervantes dies in his home on Calle del León, Madrid, on 22 April.
1616
Cervantes is buried at the Monastery of the Barefooted Trinitarians of San Ildefonso, in Madrid.